Alan Leonard

UX Lead

Alan has a long career in the tech space, and joined Sparkgeo in January 2018. He is self-taught (through online learning and exhaustive reading). He also studied at the University of Guelph.

Previously UX Lead at Compusense, Alan designed sensory analysis software. He also worked on front-end development—and has expertise in data science and analytics. He moved to Sparkgeo to help direct our UX efforts. Part of what drew him to Sparkgeo, is the freedom he has to learn, and excel at his job.

Much of his work is with our Maptiks product. He also assists clients with UX, as needed. He’s particularly keen about the work he’s doing for WCS on the MERMAID app (an open source data platform for science and conservation).

Alan works remotely, from Hamilton, Ontario. He likes this set-up. It allows him to live where he wants, while working with a talented team of remote engineers. He finds beauty in maps, and appreciates how they can turn data (all around us) into useful information.

When it comes to new technology, Alan is enthusiastic about quantum computing. He’s keen about finally getting accurate weather forecasts. He’s also curious about how laws, regulations, and ethics will affect AI.

Alan visited the desert in Joshua Tree National Park, and the rainforest in Monteverde, Costa Rica—all in the same year. If he could be anywhere, right now, he’d be overseas, watching the Tour de France.

Alan is vegan, and cooks (a lot). He’s a very fast runner and cyclist. So, if he isn’t solving a UX problem, he’s probably thinking about his bike.